In a pot, bring 6 cups chicken broth to a boil, add pepper to taste, reduce to simmer, and drop dumplings into the broth.

Simmer 20 to 30 minutes until thick, stirring often. Remove the chicken from the bones and cut into bite size pieces. Add to the dumplings and cook for another 5-10 minutes until the gravy is the desired consistency.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

My mantel has been empty since Christmas! I decided that I wanted to do something different, and it took me this long to do it.

I really didn't want to spend any money, so I gathered things from around the house. Some things I didn't use and later I had to go "shopping" for more.

I had these two urns, but they were just too white.

I layered up the paint to give an aged look and filled the urns with scraps of quilt batting (I wasn't about to spend 6 or 7 dollars a piece for styrofoam balls). I hot glued sheets of moss to the batting.

Yes, I spray painted books - first with black and then with cream.

I did purchase two pieces of tarnished silver for the mantel. I spent 11 dollars for the tray and dish. I filled the dish with a doily and a rosette I made from a piece of scrim and set it atop an old corbel.

ro-setten. an ornament made of ribbons, threads, etc. gathered or tufted in the shape of a rose.

Now, use it in a sentence.

I see a lot of rosettes in my future.

It was fun and so easy to make.

A garden ornament/statue(?) and a piece of silver from my Grandmother's silverware set. When I bought the lady statue, there was a matching man statue that I didn't buy. I still feel really bad that I left the man all alone. Isn't that silly?

And finally, a curtain tieback - just because.

And there you have it. A mantel makeover using things I already had (almost).

Saturday, February 20, 2010

I was finally able to get out and do a little shopping. I went to the thrift store and the local antique mall.

I found this darling vintage apron. I'm hooked! I feel a collection starting. Of course my hubby wants to know where I'm going to put an apron collection. I told him "no worries, I'll find a spot". He seemed thrilled.

I also picked up this chippy drawer and linen towel. My hubby thought the towel looked like an ugly rag.

And I couldn't resist this floral runner. Such pretty colors.

A doily and silver dish completed the antique mall shopping.

And this white pitcher was only one dollar at the thrift store. I can't wait to find spots for my new treasures. At least I think they're treasures. I'm not sure you know who agrees.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

I received this catalogue in the mail and as soon as I saw it I knew I wanted this for my front door. Two reasons not to order it-too expensive and I believe it is made with dried flowers, which would never hold up in the winds around here. So I took the challenge and decided to make my own version.

The ribbon is what I loved about this basket. I knew I could never find ribbon like this at stores in my area, so I decided to make wired fabric ribbon.

I cut 3- 4 1/2 inch strips of the main fabric and 6- 2 inch strips for the border.

Sewed the strips together to make three continuous strips,

And sewed the three strips together .

I followed the package directions to apply heat-n bond to the two outer edges.

Then I folded over the fabric with the wire in the middle and fused the fabric together.

I filled a metal basket I found at Hobby Lobby with floral foam and moss. I tied on my wired fabric ribbon and I was ready for the flowers. I filled the basket with flowers I bought at Michaels.

Now my question for you. Is it wrong to put a bright floral arrangement like this on the front door in the middle of winter?

Saturday, February 6, 2010

There it is. This was my problem. I have been searching for some kind of armoire for the television in my bedroom, but nothing was just right or fit into my budget. I decided to move it into the corner and build a fabric screen. I used a Waverly fabric that I bought many years ago, at some great price that I don't remember. I have many yards of it. So, for the price of some inexpensive lumber, I was able to hide my little problem.

I made three panels. Two sides and the bottom were made from 1x2 pine boards. I made the sides 6 feet tall and cut the center to make the width 24 inches.

For the top piece, I cut one continuous shape from a 1x6 pine board. I drew a paper pattern, traced it onto the board, and cut out with a jigsaw. I then cut the board into three 24 inch pieces.

I attached the boards together with corner braces and L brackets.

I cut the fabric about 5 inches wider than the screen and stapled it to the back, pulling the fabric tightly. I matched the pattern of the fabric across all three panels, just like wallpapering. I decided to use folding screen hinges, or double action hinges, so that the screen could be folded back and forth in any direction. I'm glad I decided to do that, it makes the screen much more versatile.

Soo..., after getting blisters from my staple gun, stapling the fabric to the wrong side of a panel, and replacing the hinges because I had never heard of "double action" hinges, I finally finished my screen.

After spending so much time on this project, I really want to share it. I'll be linking to:

Friday, February 5, 2010

Here is a little sneak peek of the fabric folding screen I have been working on.

Did you know that if you want your folding screen to fold in different directions, you have to buy specialty hinges? You probably did, but I didn't. As I was attaching the regular hinges, I kept thinking to myself, "I don't know how this is going to work". I put them on anyway and guess what? It didn't work. So I went to my good friend google, and find out right away that you need to buy "folding screen hinges". Duh! Of course you cannot find them at the regular home improvement stores, so I had to order them. Now I am waiting, very impatiently, to finish my project.

I knew you wouldn't see the ones on the headboard, so I took those out and replaced them with new banister spindles cut to fit. Painted it all out and you would never know.

I also made a canopy. It is just a piece of plywood cut in a semi-cirlce with a jigsaw. The lace and fabric are stapled on and I attached it to the wall with shelf brackets.

To make the quilt at the end of the bed look thick and cushy...

I tuck our regular pillows inside.

I happened to see this bed in Victoria magazine, and I wanted to ask you - Do you think I should paint my bed like this one? I was never in love with the bright white and this soft gray/green with cream accents is just lovely. Thanks for letting me share one of my past projects with you.

About Me

I am a fulltime working wife and mother of two teenagers. I dream of one day having my home featured in one of those "romantic" publications. I work with a small budget, so it's always a DIY adventure. I hope you will join me as I go room by room, project by project, to create a warm and romantic home.
Janet